Bentivegna, V., So, R.W.L. et al
We all know them, those pesky lab managers that are always going on about inventory and lab safety, making you tie up your hair and wear closed-toed shoes. Don’t you think laboratory life would be easier without them? Here are 10 tried and true ways to get on their bad side!
Day 1: What’s in a Label?
Don’t use clear labels to indicate what’s in that mystery container, add a fun, non-descriptive sticker instead. Everyone loves stickers!
Day 2: Stay Cool
Climate warming, climate shwarming! When you’re feeling a little too hot, just open the -80 door and chill out for a bit. Those rare seed samples will be just fine!
Day 3: Holistic Buffers
Always just add water to communal buffers so it never looks like it’s used up. The “essence” of sodium will work just as well.
Day 4: Fluffy Fur Balls
Everyone loves fluffy pets, so go ahead and grow little cute fluffy fur balls in the cell culture media.
Day 5: Keepin’ Things Hot
Leave the heat block turned on high over the weekend, just in case you need it first thing Monday morning and no, there’s no chance your lab manager will burn their hands on it.
Day 6: We All Work Weekends Anyway
Text your lab manager during their vacation, using the number they gave you that was only to be used in real emergencies, to ask where a reagent is that the lab manager never even uses.
Day 7: Stay Cool (Part 2)
Oops, you forgot to keep your beers on ice before your cohort’s hangout? No worries, you can just flash cool your drinks in the liquid nitrogen tank!
Day 8: Leave a Nice Mess
Use the lab manager’s bench and leave a nice mess their for them to clean up, because they so clearly enjoy cleaning up, right?
Day 9: Last Minute Orders
Oops, you’re starting a new experiment tomorrow and forgot to order a reagent? No worries, your lab Manager will get the order through on time!
Day 10: Mystery Notes
Now your lab manager is tired and overworked, let them know that you’ve written all your lab notes in code because you know how much they like puzzles!
